Hello All, It is a while since I have been on here. I trust I’m still allowed to post as a former 675 owner. I’m searching for hive-mind solutions to support the planning a two-up trip to northern Spain in August 2026. All hints, tips and links for ideas on routes, sights to see and places to stay.will be welcome. Cheers Richard
How long for? Ferry there and back or just 1 way and the other through France? How far to travel each day? Stay in one place and venture out, or new place each night? Or a mix? Have been a few times so have a bunch of suggestions i will put together on another post, then you can see if you want to stitch some together.
Out from Santander West Potes and Panes route, down to Riano, loop back via Pilona. Around Picos lots of roads and peaks and a lot of animal monuments to find. Can do a week from 1 place easily or stay as you go. Good for a week trip. South Down to Segovia for aquaduct and famous suckling pig restaurant, go via Sad Hill Cemetery (good bad and ugly) Can get down to Guadaloupe and loop back via Portugal into Picos, 10-12 days East Coast to San Sebastien, Pamplona and N240 and N260 along bottom of Pyrenees, possibly up to Andorra, then criss cross back and forward into France on way back via Biarritz Through France centre/west Carcasonne, Millau, Oradour-sur-glane (ww2 memorial village), Saumur, Le Mans, Mont st Michel, ferry back from any port. France centre east Carcasonne, Millau, Dijon, Troyes, Reims
This is fabulous Thank you We are waiting on the Ferries to release their 2026 sailing dates before deciding of how best to manage the two weeks off, with a preference to sail both ways We will look to find digs for 2-4 nights and explore the area, mileage being something that happens, rather than an objective - two to three hours saddle time per day, with more when moving between bases and more if we have to motor back through France. We are thinking more about touring on a motorcycle, rather than ‘motorcycle touring’ - if that makes sense? Initial thinking is to target the hillier regions of the north - cooler in a Spanish August - to be changed or confirmed when advice and guidance, such as the excellent post above, is provided. Greatly appreciated.
In that case, a week based around Pots&Pans will give you loads of nice places and routes, i have met quite a few who use Potes as a base for a week, but i havent yet. Then a week to cut across for sad hill, pamplona and the western end of the Pyrenees and back to the port would be a coiple of good weeks imo. Was thinking of something similar for next year but not discussed with our group yet. Last time we did it, the ferries are mid week, so you have to plan around that, and 24-30 hours on the boat each way eats into the holiday. We ferried down and rode back last time, but would do it the other way for thr 24 hour rest if we did iit again. I would use the second week to do the “day by day” miles and hotels, because you appreciate that 24hr rest coming home then.
Thank you Potes seems to fit the bill well I’ll be spending next week, after work, exploring hotel websites for a place with a pool - in and out of town. Now to wait on Brittany Ferries releasing their sailing dates
Hi Ketteringchap, I can’t give you better advice than you have already recieved but anyway… I’ve ridden many times through France and Spain without having a very structured plan and always had a great time.The south is defo to hot in the summer.The roads around Andorra are really good fun and the Basque people the friendliest and most helpfull i encountered. Enjoy the planning and the trip fella. Greetings from an ex pupil of Kettering Boys School.
Thank you for the comment, Nik, I grew up in Scarborough, but lived in Kettering (Off Deble Road - near the Leather Craftsman Pub, as was) from 2012 to 2019. I signed up for this group some time round then, before meeting my now wife - and relocating to Bury St Edmunds.
The Spanish Shade Trip - 2026 emphasis on the Six Planning is now definitely afoot. The ferry from Portsmouth has been booked for the 6th of August 2026, and we are now exploring Potes as a venue for arrival on the 8th - and some gentle two-wheel exploring before the Full Eclipse of the Sun on the 12th. We will then slowly wobble our way east to Andora, then north for a channel crossing, navigating on Routes National - we have nothing against Autoroutes (or tolls) it is just not the tone of the trip. Constructive comments, hints and tips are always welcome.
